Meeting ID: 371 306 7117

Passcode: ysA8Ji

Outside the Box is a Meetup Group for neurodiverse adults whose goal is to enjoy activities together in relaxed and low-pressure settings. Members reside in the greater Charlottesville area to include the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson counties.

Typical members have been successful in at least one of the following: 1) completing a standard or advanced high school diploma; 2) pursuing or completing higher education; 3) living independently; or 4) maintaining long term employment. Members may also appreciate a little help in navigating social situations or are accustomed to offering this help to others. 

To join the Outside the Box Meetup Group, email CRAAG.

Get ready for some new and fun adventures this fall to include:

Monthly Youth and Teen Programs

Specialty Holiday Programs

Overnight Cabin Adventure

Zoom and in-person programs available. Registration is required for all in-person programs. View descriptions, details, and register here starting August 7, 2023.

Virginia Medicaid stopped all annual renewals during the pandemic. In March 2023, the Department of Social Services began the "Unwinding," a massive task of renewing the eligibility of all Medicaid beneficiaries and a return to annua Medicaid renewals. The above infographic identifies the steps in the renewal process.

CRAAG is hearing stories about adults who receive SSI or SSDI losing their Medicaid benefits at renewal. Most of these disabled adults live in poverty. For those who work, the reason for the loss of Medicaid insurance coverage may include these pandemic-related factors from 2021 to 2023: 1) historic increases in their employment wages; 2) large cost of living increases in the benefit programs; and 3) outdated income/asset/benefit thresholds for Medicaid and the benefit programs.

If you or your family member has already lost or stands to lose their Medicaid at renewal, please consider sharing your story with CRAAG. The information isn't for publication and will be held in confidence. These stories will help CRAAG and other autism advocates to address this widespread problem affecting adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. No disabled person should be left without health insurance! Please email CRAAG to share your story!

See the Medicaid Renewal Calendar to find out when your Medicaid renewal will start.

The Blue Ridge LEND is part of a national network of 60 federally-funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs, and it focuses on the rural Blue Ridge and Appalachian region of Virginia. The second year of the Blue Ridge LEND program came to a close in April.

CRAAG began in 2010 in collaboration with Commonwealth Autism (CA). CRAAG’s mission is to raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for people with autism, developmental disabilities, and their families in Charlottesville City, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson counties. We are a volunteer action group for families, self-advocates, and professionals who are interested in all age groups and levels of need. The daily concerns of CRAAG's active volunteers inform our focus on the needs of students transitioning out of high school, adults throughout the lifespan, and their families. Our advocacy is person-centered aimed at maximizing independent living with supports; meaningful employment; social connectivity; and community engagement. CRAAG's 2021 Housing survey initiated a years-long initiative in our region to expand the number of housing options, supports and services available to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

Email CRAAG | CRAAG Webpage |